Shopping and Bargaining

We tried to sleep a little later today, but it is so noisy outside, it is hard.  In fact, it is noisy all night long.  I don't know what these people do all night, and honestly, not sure I want to know.  We went out for dinner last night and it was packed everywhere we walked.  We did have a good dinner and it was not too expensive.

We got up and ate breakfast downstairs in the lobby.  The VP debate was on (live from US) and it was interesting watching the Vietnamese watch the debate.  There are not many Americans here at my hotel, so I'm not sure why they were watching it except that it reminds that the rest of the world is watching everything the US does.

After breakfast we headed out to first buy tickets for the water puppet show.  We decided to walk and get a taxi tonight.  It was only about 4 blocks from the market where we were going anyway.  We bought the tickets and then headed to the Ben Thanh Market again.  It is fun and so many beautiful things, but it was hot and sticky as it started to rain on us on the way there.  We did find a Vietnamese "futball" soccer shirt for Ella on the way.  We also saw a boy band making a video.   Then into the market.  I'm usually pretty good at bargaining, but they all pounce on you when you walk through.  I knew mostly what I wanted and I got tired quickly of people trying to sell me anything and everything and trying to take advantage of me.  We decided to stop and have a smoothie before continuing...a mango smoothie!  It was yummy.

Then back to a little more bargaining.  We left with all we could carry and then stopped at the dress shop and picked up our ao dais that we had made.  They are beautiful.
Here is Hannah modeling hers:

Last stop was the Tax Center across from the Rex Hotel.  We picked up some coconut candy for Hannah to share with her class (and a little for her as well!) and some artwork for my sister.  All done!  Then we came back to the hotel to rest and cool off.  Good thing as a storm came through right after we got to the room.  Nothing big or earth shattering today...just some fun.  Hannah is reading a book right now about a Vietnamese mother who had a daughter during the war.  The Mother sent her to America to be adopted.  The daughter was coming back to visit her Vietnamese family for the first time and all the Vietnamese thought since she was from America, she must be rich.  Interesting story and the truth is, the perception is still true.  But when we drove the villages yesterday, the perception is real.  We have so much.  Here is the view from our hotel and this is in the city.  Many that we saw in the Delta yesterday live on their boats and sleep in an hammock.  What would Jesus Christ want us to do?  I think about it constantly!

So tonight we head to dinner and the Water Puppet show.  One more night, one more day.  We did get a late checkout so we won't have to carry our stuff around all day till we head to the airport.  We're about ready to come home!  I miss my funny Ella!